Matic: A big honour

news
Sun 10 Aug 2014

Nemanja Matic believes playing against quality opponents during pre-season will ensure the squad are in the best possible condition when our Premier League campaign gets underway at Burnley in just over a week’s time.

Having taken on both Fenerbahce and Besiktas on Friday, Jose Mourinho’s side play their penultimate friendly later today against Ferencvaros in Budapest.

The game marks the opening of a new stadium for our hosts, and Matic is delighted we have been asked to take part.

‘I have always followed Hungarian football and many years ago their national team was one of the best in Europe, with some fantastic players, and Ferencvaros have always been a big club,’ he tells the official Chelsea website.

‘I know the match we play will be the first in the new stadium and I’m really happy about that, it’s a big honour for Chelsea to be invited to take part in such a special event.’

The quality of opponents we’ve faced during pre-season has increased with every game and Matic expects another difficult test in Hungary.

‘I’m sure they will be looking forward to playing against us and hopefully it will be a good spectacle for the supporters of both teams,’ says the Serbian midfielder.

‘I know the Hungarian fans are very passionate about football, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them and hopefully giving them something to cheer.

‘It’s good for us to play against strong opponents in pre-season, it will be another big test but I’m confident we can win the match.’